MARCEL TANNER
Director, Swiss Tropical Institute

Marcel Tanner is currently the director of Swiss Tropical Institute. He did his MSc in Medical Zoology in 1977 from University of Basel and PhD in Medical Parasitology from the same university. Dr Tanner has over 405 original papers in peer-reviewed journals, 19 book chapters, co-editor of two books on urban health and urbanisation, more than 300 published short communications and abstracts as well as numerous evaluation reports and studies for governments and international agencies.

Qualification:

  • 1977 MSc Medical Zoology (University of Basel)
  • 1980 PhD in Medical Parasitology (University of Basel)
  • 1987 MSc CHDC (MPH), (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University London)
  • 1987 "Venia Docendi", (Associate Professor; University of Basel)
  • 1993 Professor, Chair of Epidemiology & Med. Parasitology (University of Basel)
  • 1996 Honorary Professor (Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland)
  • 2003 Member Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences
  • 2002-04 Dean Faculty of Science University of Basel
  • 2005 Honorary Member Swiss Academy of Science
Current position: :
  • Director, Swiss Tropical Institute
Publications:
  • 405 original papers in peer-reviewed journals, 19 book chapters, co-editor of two books on urban health and urbanisation, more than 300 published short communications and abstracts as well as numerous evaluation reports and studies for governments and international agencies.
Education and professional experience:
  • BSc and MSc studies in biology, chemistry and medical microbiology/immunology at the University of Basel
  • PhD in medical parasitology on the in vitro cultivation of trypanosomes.
  • Assistant scientist and post-doctoral position studying immune mechanisms against the infective stage larvae of filariae at the Swiss Tropical Institute (STI).
  • Field work on onchcerciasis and schistosomiasis in Cameroon and Liberia, 1979.
  • Head, Swiss Tropical Institute Field Laboratory in Ifakara, Tanzania, 1981-1984:
  • Epidemiological research projects on malaria and schistosomiasis
  • Community-based studies on the interactions between infection-nutrition-immunity
  • Implementation of a primary health care programme at district level
  • These programmes entailed research, service and training components.
  • Postgraduate studies in public health and epidemiology (MSc CHDC) at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, 1986-1987
  • Head, Dept. Public Health & Epidemiology at STI, 1988-1995:
  • Research in the field of the control of communicable diseases, mainly malaria and schistosomiasis based on extended fieldwork in Africa and Asia.
  • Research on health planning emphasising urbanisation, health service utilisation and decentralisation in health planning and resources allocation.
  • Research on urban environment and health in Africa (Tanzania, Chad, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mauritania) and Asia (China, India).
  • Health development projects at district level in rural and urban areas of Africa (Tanzania, Chad, Cameroon) and Asia (India, Thailand).
  • aching/training at universities in the field of epidemiology and public health in Europe, USA, Africa, Australia and Asia.
  • Consultancies in international health issues for governments and international organisations (WHO, World Bank)
  • Research fellow and visiting professor at Tropical Health Program, School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 1996.
  • Director STI, 1997 until present:
  • Research on communicable diseases control (mainly malaria and schistosomiasis), health planning and projects on environment and health
  • Assistance/consultancies in health development projects and research capacity building in Africa and Asia, mainly on behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation.

Updated: 25 Jul 2007